Rainsford's Significant Development In The Most Dangerous Game, By Richard Connell

Fear is an emotion vital to any animal. It is the survival instinct which protects species from extinction. Without fear, one would not know to guard itself from threats and dangers. The short story, “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell explores the protagonist’s significant development as he undergoes various and faces fear. Although Rainsford originally is a pure “hunter” who enjoys big-games and believes in the primacy of human over all animals, as he experiences the fear of being the “hunted” he comes to understand fear and develop empathy for his prey. However, Connell chooses not mention any transformation the protagonist undergoes and leaves to the readers the decision of whether Rainsford actually changes through his experience,

He believes in the supremacy of human kind over all other animals and that preys are incapable of understanding and feeling. Rainsford’s lack of compassion toward his prey is apparent in the conversation between him and his fellow sailor, Whitney. Whitney remarks that hunting is a great sport for the hunter, but “not for the jaguar,” however, Rainsford simply ridicules him, saying “who cares how a jaguar feels.” (2, Connell) Moreover, Rainsford completely dismisses the idea of prey animals processing “the fear of pain and the fear of death,” as suggested by Whitney. (2, Connell) This ignorance toward the “hunted” shows some similarities between Rainsford and Zaroff as Zaroff certainly does not care about his quarries either. However, as the plot advances and the protagonist faces the conflicts, the readers are introduced with the distinct difference between these men: their beliefs of the value of human

Rainsford is a calm and composed man who handles any challenges rationally, from falling overboard in the middle of the night, to having to swim miles to reach the shore. (11-12, Connell) Upon arriving to the “Ship-Trap Island,” Rainsford confronts the nature of life and death first time in his life. Witnessing Zaroff’s concentration and persistence in the pursuit of his quarry, Rainsford finally realizes his mistake in perceiving animals as incapable of feeling. Rainsford himself felt a clear sense of fear, “a shudder of cold horror” as he froze unbreathing in a tree bush to hide from his hunter, Zaroff. (35, Connell) Although being an extremely rational man, Rainsford struggles to control his fear. He has to fight “the impulse to hurl himself down like a panther,” and has to keep telling himself that he “will not lose his nerve.” (35-36, Connell) Due to his firsthand experience of becoming the “hunted,” Rainsford now understands fear and can emphasize with the prey